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Trans Men’s Right to Information Censored by the Presidency of Telecommunication

The Presidency of Telecommunication (TIB) had blocked access “trans men data bank” Sick-o (www.transsicko.blogspot.com) on 7 October 2013 through “administrative measure” on the grounds of TIB Decision No: 5651. Transsick-o is an online blog that aims to inform readers on female to male transition and answers questions about trans men. A written petition requesting information on which No: 5651 article the blog violated went unanswered and access to the blog was re-granted on 24 October 2013 as arbitrarily and as quietly as the moment of closure.

Transsick-o is a comprehensive reference site for trans men and non-trans people that includes more than 160 posts to answer questions on transsexuality and trans life as well as the health care and legal procedures transsexuals are subjected to. It shares information on issues like how to benefit from the right to health care and access to justice or resistance practices to mandatory sterilization during the sex reassignment process, which in effect violates human rights. The blog does not contain posts in the purview of Article 8 of the TIB Decision No: 5651, which includes crimes like encouraging suicide, sexual abuse of children, facilitating the use of drugs or stimulants, obscenity, and prostitution. The closure of this blog clearly violates the freedom of expression, the right to information, and the right to communicate. It also prevents access to health care and justice by blocking methods of information and advocacy.

The Presidency of Telecommunication usurps the right to communicate by using communication security as an excuse. This is exemplified by their notice to service providers and hosting companies that banned the use of Turkish and English words “gay, homosexual, bisexual, lesbian, transvestite” in domain names. The continuous use of the terms “general morality,” “public morality,” “public order,” “obscenity,” and “national and moral values” against LGBTI people and the violations of fundamental rights and freedoms prevent our participation in society as equal citizens.

As LGBTI people, LGBTI associations, and human rights organizations we insist on officials’ duty to guarantee our rights and freedoms instead of limiting them in the face of discrimination, hate crimes, social exclusion, and violence against LGBTI people. We take issue with the TIB’s arbitrary attitude towards LGBTI people and their right to communicate. We will not tire from our struggle until we are recognized as equal citizens. This is just the beginning…